One of the most important qualities of our food is the flavour – it has to taste good. All flavours are a subtle mix of the five basic tastes – salt, sweet, bitter, sour and savoury – combined with the aromas that the foods give off, which are a crucial

Flavour enhancers are used to bring out the flavour in a wide range of foods without adding a flavour of their own. For example, monosodium glutamate (E621), known as MSG, is added to processed foods, especially soups, sauces and sausages. Flavour enhancers are also used in a wide range of

Safer and more transparent use. The use of additives in food will soon become even safer and more transparent thanks to legislation adopted by the European Commission. “This represents a landmark in our efforts to strengthen food safety in the EU,” says Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli (pictured).

THE STORY: A third of breads contain more salt than recommended under guidelines being introduced next year, according to campaign group CASH (Campaign for Action on Salt and Health). The figures came after the Department of Health announced that bread accounts for more salt in our diet than any other

A page from our first website! If you want to know more about how food additives tie in with the chemistry that goes on in the kitchen, a downloadable booklet entitled ‘In the mix’ is accessible from the home page, or from the image on this page. Chemicals have always